Documents

Proposals from the Special Coordinator on Specific Initiatives to be Considered by the South Eastern Europe Regional Table

The following specific initiatives are suggested by the Special Coordinator to the attention of the SEE Regional Table for speedy consideration and implementation. Proponents will indicate how they might be carried forward. Their implementation or further elaboration, which the SEE Regional Table would entrust to the proponent of each initiative, would begin immediately in preparation for the meetings of the relevant Working Tables. The Working Table should keep them under review.

WORKING TABLE ON DEMOCRATISATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Mayors' Conference

Proponent: Hungary

It will be held in Szeged (Hungary), on 7/8 October, organized by the Hungarian authorities

Intended source of finance: 60.000 EUROs necessary to cover costs of the Serbian mayors.

Objective

Bring together opposition mayors of the towns of Serbia with mayors form cities from Stability Pact countries/organisations of municipalities of Stability Pact countries, for a joint evaluation of what the latter can concretely offer the former to improve the situation in their towns.

Methodology

The Conference should lead to clear commitments in favour of the FRY opposition-led cities also through twinning of municipalities. These partnerships could play a key role in developing a democratic political culture, promoting education and providing humanitarian and other basic assistance to the FRY opposition-led municipalities. Serbian opposition leaders would be invited, alongside mayors of Montenegrin towns.

Charter for the Media in South Eastern Europe

Proponent: United Kingdom

Objective

Development of a Charter for the Media in South Eastern Europe, promoting the development of objective and independent radio and television broadcasters in Stability Pact participant states and possible technical assistance for the development of broadcasting infrastructure for those countries that pledge to introduce and adhere to the principles.

Methodology

The proponent would circulate a draft Charter. The Charter should include Principles on the following topics:

• Freedom of expression;

• Encouragement of a plurality of independent media;

• Establishment of Independent Media Regulatory Bodies;

• Abolition of arbitrary state censorship;

• Encouragement of professionalism in journalism generally and in Public Services (PSB) journalism in particular;

• Respect for the confidentiality of sources of information used by journalists;

• Desirability of PSBs serving the public interest without political, ethnic or religious bias;

• Undesirability of broadcasting party political advertisements (not including a regulated party election broadcast regime);

• Duty to broadcast corrections to inaccurate information contained in earlier broadcast;

• Undertaking not to employ persons indicted by ICTY;

• Fair trade;

Copyright law. A seminar including Stability Pact participants could be held in November to discuss the Draft Charter. It could assess ways in which assistance could be offered to the media in Stability Pact participant States.

WORKING TABLE ON ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION, DEVELOPMENT AND CO-OPERATION

Investment Charter for South Eastern Europe

Proponent: United Kingdom/United States

Intended source of financing: Voluntary contributions to multilateral bodies charged with taking forward the program

Objective

Agreement among countries of the region to an Investment Charter or Compact which would set out steps which they will implement to create the right climate within the region to attract inward investment. Subsequent implementation of the agreed steps.

Methodology

The proponents would circulate a draft Charter by the end of September, for discussion among Stability Pact members, together with an implementation road map.

The text would be discussed and formally agreed at the October Working Table meeting.

Technical assistance program for its implementation, bringing in the expertise of relevant multilateral organisations (eg. OECD, EBRD, FIAS) to be monitored by the Working Table.

Early consideration may need to be given to meetings of experts, as appropriate, to take forward work on the Investment Charter and implementation of the road map.